San Diego Coastkeeper employs a strategic combination of science, advocacy, education, and community outreach to most effectively address existing and emerging climate and water-related issues. We are the region’s leading clean water and climate advocacy nonprofit organization with unparalleled credibility, expertise, and broad partnerships.

What makes your organization unique in its approach to addressing climate change?

Access to clean water is a prerequisite for the well-being of all San Diegans and our environment. We strive to secure long-term, sustainable funding for vital stormwater projects and to drive progress toward integrated water management in San Diego for a healthier and more climate and drought-resilient future.

How do climate/environmental changes affect the San Diego region specifically? How can people in San Diego become a part of local solutions?

In recent years, we've all witnessed first-hand the increased risk of drought, local drinking water scarcity, and urban runoff pollution. Worsening these issues is the region's overdependence on expensive, high-emission imported water and aging infrastructure. And this speaks nothing of the effects of rising sea levels.

Decades of underfunding and mismanagement lead to poor water quality and failing stormwater infrastructure. These disproportionately affect historically underserved and vulnerable communities. Funding for stormwater infrastructure and maintenance, as well as integrated water management approaches and initiatives, are needed to protect the community and environmental health and address the impacts of climate change.

People in San Diego can help as follows:

• Advocate for change at local government meetings to voice support for policies and initiatives addressing issues like increasing funding for stormwater infrastructure, water conservation, climate resiliency, and green infrastructure projects.
• Educate others by sharing information and resources on the impacts of climate change in the region and the importance of water conservation and sustainable water management practices.
• Join efforts to conserve and restore local waterways, such as beach cleanups, river and stream restoration, and rainwater harvesting projects.
• Participate in conservation programs like water conservation rebates, reduce water consumption, and implement sustainable water management practices in the home and workplace.

When was the organization founded?

San Diego Baykeeper was founded in 1995 to combat pollution in San Diego Bay. The two-person team worked to stop toxic waste and hold polluters accountable for restoring the Bay's ecosystem. Over the years, the organization evolved from Baykeeper to Coastkeeper and has grown to address water challenges throughout San Diego County.

We have achieved many successes, including reducing sewage spills in San Diego by 90 percent, leading the effort to establish Marine Protected Areas along our coast to protect ocean biodiversity, and advocating the region’s first large-scale wastewater recycling project, Pure Water San Diego.

Over the years, we have also engaged thousands of volunteers in beach cleanups, ran California's largest volunteer water quality monitoring program, and provided water and climate science education to nearly 20,000 students and teachers.

Are there any recent news articles/publications/videos by or about your organization that you’d like to highlight?

Videos and Resources

• From Headwaters to Home: A storymap about the journey of San Diego's water
• A video about San Diego Coastkeeper
• A YouTube playlist of our FLOW video series
• A video on Integrated Water Management as a Pathway to Climate Resilience

Local Media

• SD County Supervisors Throw Support Behind Stopping New Offshore Drilling
• Humans will be kept away from La Jolla sea lions May-October
• Communities call for investments in green infrastructure to address pollution
• Think Blue San Diego emphasizes stormwater infrastructure needs now and in the future
• San Diegans poised to pay skyrocketing price for Poseidon’s desalinated water
• Advisories in place as storm brings rain runoff

Blogs

• How To Grow Lifelong Water And Climate Science Leaders And Advocates
• Beyer Park Interpretive Signs Focus On Local Environmental Education
• Students Call For Water Conservation Action
• Environmental Justice Bike Tour In The Tijuana River Watershed

Is your organization looking for volunteers? Are you looking for committee/board members with particular skill sets? Do you need in-kind donations of any sort?

Yes, San Diego Coastkeeper is always looking for volunteers. We offer opportunities for groups and individuals to participate in community beach cleanups, riverbed restoration events, self-guided cleanups (Six Cleanup Challenge), and corporate volunteer opportunities (Sponsored Beach Cleanups). We rely on volunteers to amplify our reach, success, and impact, and we see them as essential stakeholders in their organization. Additionally, we are looking for legal-standing members to help advocate for stronger environmental protections. We also have a volunteer advocacy program, Clean Water Activists, where volunteers can learn to engage in advocacy work to protect San Diego's waterways.

Another great way to support our mission is to follow us on social media, subscribe to our email list, and tell others about our organization.